Coopers Stadium – stadium description

How was Hindmarsh Stadium developed?

The Soccer Association of South Australia (SASA) originally had a plot of land purchased elsewhere, but it became apparent that natural grass could not be maintained there, plus the ground was regularly flooded. So back in the 1950s, SASA took over the old cricket stadium at Hindmarsh, near Adelaide city centre.

The former Hindmarsh Oval was converted into a facility with a rectangular pitch. Initially, a main stand for 2,000 spectators was built (opened in 1960), which was later joined by terraced stands around the entire playing field. In the mid-1970s, the first floodlight masts were installed.

What role did Hindmarsh Stadium have during the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney?

The stadium was selected as one of the venues for the football competition at the Sydney 2000 Games. Prior to the tournament, the stadium underwent a significant upgrade, with the main stand expanded at a cost of $27 million and the terraced stands removed and replaced with new structures. New floodlight masts were also installed and additional temporary stands were installed for the duration of the games, increasing the venue's capacity to 20 000 spectators.

During the Olympics, the stadium hosted six group stage matches and one quarter-final of the football tournament. The Italian team's Group A matches against Honduras and Nigeria and the quarter-final between the United States and Japan were watched from the stands by more than 18 000 spectators each time. These were the highest attendances in the history of the venue.

What events has Hindmarsh Stadium hosted?

In addition to the Olympic tournament matches, the venue has played host to the 2004 Oceania Cup of Nations and the 2006 Women's Asian Cup (including the final of these competitions). On November 12, 2008, it hosted the return leg of the Asian Champions League final double-header, in which Adelaide United succumbed to Gamba Osaka of Japan 0:2 (0:5 in the double-header). Hindmarsh Stadium also hosted the final of the inaugural Oceania Club Championship on March 15, 1987. From the 1970s to the early 2000s, the Australian national football team played at the venue, with the women's national team also playing here from time to time.

The stadium has also played host to National Soccer League final matches and national cup finals. The Adelaide City Zebras and West Adelaide Hellas have played here in the past, and Adelaide United FC have hosted the arena since 2003 (the club's women's team also plays some of its matches here). Hindmarsh Stadium is the main football venue in Adelaide (the larger Adelaide Oval is used primarily for cricket and Australian football). The stadium has also hosted rugby matches or music concerts.

When did Hindmarsh Stadium gain a title sponsor?

In 2013, Coopers Brewery became the stadium's title sponsor and the venue was renamed Coopers Stadium. Interestingly, Coopers Brewery had also previously bought the naming rights to the nearby Norwood Oval in 2007, resulting in the two Adelaide stadiums being given the same name.

What are the plans at Coopers Stadium for the 2023 Women's World Cup?

In June 2020, Australia and New Zealand were announced as the hosts of the 2023 Women's World Cup, which will be the biggest sporting event hosted in Australia since the Sydney Games in 2000. In November 2020, the South Australian state government approved the allocation of funds from its own budget to upgrade Coopers Stadium to become one of the arenas for the Women's World Cup. In March 2021, the list of venues for the tournament was announced, which included the Adelaide-based stadium. It is to host four group stage matches and one round of 16.

A $53 million upgrade of Coopers Stadium began in July 2021. The work will focus most heavily on the east stand, which is to be expanded with new business spaces, and a roof, similar to that of the opposite stand, will be added over the auditorium. Plans also include new changing rooms, toilets, entrance gates, catering facilities, improved lighting, press facilities, disabled access and replacement of the pitch. The modernisation has been divided into three phases and is expected to be completed in December 2022.

What does Coopers Stadium look like?

The stadium features a rectangular pitch that surrounds a row of stands on all sides, and there is also a second, separate tier on each of the four sides. The main stand is located on the west side and is the only one equipped with a canopy. A LED screen has been placed on the stand behind the north gate. The proximity of the streets has forced some restrictions on the expansion of the facility around the northern corners. The capacity of the stadium is 16 500 seats. The arena is managed by the Adelaide Entertainments Corporation.